Vinyl records: Music sounds better!

Like it or not, there’s nothing like authenticity. And this in a world which has seen us progressively surrounded – most likely because of more or less accepting it – by counterfeit. As a result, it is probably because of havin’ reached a peak that the situation is apparently changing. Therefore, true to the law of cycles/circles. If not the adage according to which ‘an extreme leads to another’…
This reminds us as to how each of us tends to value what is tangible, appealing to the senses and hopefully lasting. Well, and to make it short, what has sense (senses) on its own. It means we look for something real. In other words, an object which we can hold in our hands. Have a look at, smell and whatsoever. This bringing us to vinyl records. Something which, per nature, one couldn’t obtain from a rip, a download nor a stream…

The ongoing resurfacing of next door shops as opposed to the megastore chains in America is another sign of the current change. Thus clearly demonstrating the fact that trading is first and foremost a social act. An act that finds its substance in the capacity of a salesman to create a link with the consumer. This being quite different from the creation of a demand based on prices.

A big majority of those of us who’ve managed to experience it could tell you there was nothing like going to a record shop back in the day. Be exposed to new music. Then eventually get extra informations from someone who knew what he was talkin’ about. Meanwhile exchanging feelings in the middle of other people, just like you and I, or DJ’s. Then go to another place and search for different things. Or try to get the tunes you didn’t get at the previous one, and so forth! Way less anonymous than surfing on the blogosphere as a matter of fact. Even though Internet has allowed us back then to consistantly enlarge our search field. And get things we probably would have never got otherwise…

Last year’s results in terms of sales are pretty much evocative as to how the situation we’ve been facing since the middle of the 90’s has reached its limits. With CD sales down 14 percent, digital downloads down 11 percent and iTune sales down 10 percent. This in comparison to vinyl records sales going up 50 percent from 2013 to 2014 in America. Some 600 percent since 2007! Reaching an anmount of 9 million units sold last year. And the growth is even more noticable, considering the 300,000 units sold back in 1993. This at a time when vinyl got universally considered as burried, just like the Edison cylinder or the gramophone disc before…

“Futures made of virtual insanity – now always seem to be govern’d by this love we have for useless, twisting, our new technology. Oh, now there is no sound – for we all live underground…” As many words taken from Jamiroquai‘s 1996 memorable ‘Virtual Insanity’ summin’ up the period we’ve been goin’ thru in our illusory search for perfection. Even though the definition of life itself resides in its imperfection!

We thought the vinyl records could disappear because of their perfectibility as compared to the polished digital sound of the CD. We thought the vinyl records could disappear because of their lack of handiness as opposed to the latter and the mp3. But nothing so far has ever replaced their warmth, texture, and dimension. Nothing has managed to stand in for them in the story they’re telling. From the sound they reproduce along with time. To who’s been contributing (singers, musicians, engineers, producers) to their making.

So do yourself a favor before leavin’. Take a record from the shelf. Enjoy the conception of the cover art. Check the liner notes. Remove the record from the sleeve while making sure to not leave your fingers on the wax. Smell it, and place it on the platter. Put the needle on the record and let us know what you think…

Freshly Squeezed!

Teddy Pendergrass delivering one of his most vibrant performances back in 1993. This while joinin' forces once more with producers Reggie and Vincent Calloway on the jazzy swingin' 'Believe In Love'... [More…]

Transient Californian threesome Plush comin' up with what would be their biggest classic back in 1982. This with their cover version of René & Angela's 'Free And Easy' with mixing work courtesy of Tee Scott... [More…]

Patti Austin back to the forefront, thus bringin' us into midtempo R&B/Soul territories with the soothing 'Hope Has Arrived'. The leading single from the OST of the forthcoming graphic novel and film, 'Spirit Of The Pharaoh' with remixing work courtesy of Nigel Lowis... [More…]